This is the first edition in English
(to be delivered monthly) of the already renowned electronic journal of
the GEAE, advanced study group of Spiritism. In its current form, mostly
written in Portuguese and distributed weekly, the GEAE report has been
for 5 years an important and open minded instrument of Spiritist discussion
in the world web. Once more the time is come for the blossoming of one
so gladly planted seed in the form of a new version specially directed
to our English speaking friends. Let us then thank God for His everlasting
goodness, since He has giving us, through the Internet, the opportunity
for exchanging ideas and hopes, for improving our minds and hearts and
for setting our spirits free through the study of the so important subjects
of our beloved Spiritist Doctrine. Let also our humble work be specially
useful for all those who, still in the lack of a conscious knowledge, feel
there is in life something more than their eyes can perceive, whose spirits
understand the whole aim and glory of God's creation and whose minds are
sufficiently open to realize that our existence will continue forever in
spite of all negative claims of Materialism.

``The Spiritist Messenger'' also
intends to be a free channel for the Spiritist debate. Our aim is to present,
in a coherent way, articles, texts and messages on important Spiritist
topics. Since Spiritism deals with the most important questions of the
human species, these topics deeply concern everyone, even those who do
not accept Spiritist principles, but whose lives are inexorably governed
by them. It also aims at bringing together news and notices about upcoming
events in the Spiritist movement worldwide. Since our main language is
English, in order to make our work easy and due to time limitations, articles
and materials should be preferably sent in this language. However,
short comments and notices (no more than 40 words) can be sent in Portuguese,
Spanish and German.

We again hope that all can profit
by the new communication vehicle which has come to express and fulfill
old Spiritist ideals, and we most humbly ask for God's and the good spirits'
guidance on this new work.

The GEAE Editors

TEXT

THE NUMBERS
OF THE GEAE GROUP

A GEAE statistics:

The GEAE group has 1264 participants
(up to October 1997) spread among 26 countries. The distribution according
to each country is:

Argentina

Austria

Australia

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Chile

5

2

4

1

977

3

1

Colombia

Germany

Finland

France

Guatemala

Holland

Israel

1

15

1

1

1

1

1

Italy

Japan

Mexico

New Zealand

Peru

Portugal

Spain

1

6

2

1

2

59

5

South
Africa

Sweden

Switzerland

United
Arab Emirates

United
Kingdom

United
States

2

2

2

1

12

155

There are 2938 Spiritist institutions
catalogued on the GEAE web page. These institutions are distributed
according to 33 countries:

Argentina

Austria

Australia

Belgium

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Dominican
Republic

France

Germany

Guatemala

Holland

Italy

Japan

Mexico

Norway

New Zealand

Paraguay

Peru

Poland

Portugal

PuertoRico

South
Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United
Kingdom

United
States

Uruguay

Venezuela

There are 2321 books in the GEAE
web library in 11 different languages:

Czech

English

Esperanto

French

German

Greek

Italian

Japanese

Portuguese

Spanish

Spanish

599 books with summary or with links
to summary (the majority are published by GEEM, o Clarim and FEB)

152 catalogued Spiritist web pages in
9 countries:

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

France

Guatemala

Japan

Portugal

Spain

United
Kingdom

Available titles in HTML format on the
GEAE page:

O Livro dos Espiritos (FEESP)

O Evangelho Segundo o Espiritismo (FEESP)

Grandes Vultos do Espiritismo (FEESP)

138 catalogued Spiritist publishing
houses among 15 countries:

Argentina

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

France

Germany

Guatemala

Italy

Japan

Mexico

Portugal

Spain

United
Kingdom

United States

Venezuela

SHOWCASE

ON BEHALF
OF THE 5TH GEAE BIRTHDAY - A SPIRITIST CHRONOLOGY

A small text on the Spiritism history
is posted on the GEAE web page in order to commemorate the GEAE 5thanniversary. This text describes
events occurred in several countries. The principal aim of this chronology
compiled by Carlos Iglesias and some friends is to provide a modest starting
point for more advanced researches on the history of the doctrine.

``LA REVUE
SPIRITE'' IS STILL PUBLISHED

Browsing the home page of the ``Union
Spirite Francaise et Francophone'' we surprisingly found out that the ``Revue
Spirite'' (The Spiritist Magazine) has been normally published. Its first
edition was launched by A. Kardec on January 1858 and lasted until 1976
when the French Spiritist movement underwent a hard internal crisis (even
the words ``Spirite'' and ``Spiritisme'' were banished from its official
organizations). After the magazine's end, under its fusion with another
journal and the appearance of a re-named version ``Renaitre 2000'', a Spiritist
group founded the USFF and started a battle for the Revue's publishing
rights. A happy end came in 1989 with the revival of magazine [according
to Charles Kempf in France].

A NEW SECTION
IN ESPERANTO

During our last years of study we
realized that the difference of language among the peoples is an almost
insurmountable barrier. This barrier not only limits normal communication,
but also impedes a better understanding of the truth.

Each people, each group of culturally
related spirits have their own world view, see the reality through a particular
prism.The collection of these different
views is a valuable treasure of mankind. The unrestrained exchange of ideas
from different points of view improves those social groups which are able
to do such exchange.

The intense communication among spiritists
from several origins is desirable not only as a fraternal endeavor, but
also as a source of constant improvement of the very way people understand
the doctrine. It warrants a future opened to new ideas, a constantly renewed
doctrine.

Esperanto, Dr. Zamenhof's Lingvo
Internacia, together with modern ways of communication can help to this
aim. The easiness of its learning can stimulate small study groups in several
Spiritist institutions worldwide. Few weeks of effort would make people
in such institutions able to communicate with each other. Everywhere there
would be people able to translate into their national tongue materials
published in Esperanto. Knowing the common language, everywhere spiritists
on travel would find someone to understand their ideas.

Also even in the spirit world communication
problems may arise. There is no sudden transformation after death, the
spirit conserves its linguistic skills and it awakes after death in the
same cultural environment as in its previous life. Contrary to general
thought, telepathic communication is a very hard acquisition that is only
attained by most elevated spirits and a common practice only on the highest
planes. See the book: ``O Esperanto como Revelacao'' - Eperanto as Revelation
- by the spirit F. V. Lorenz through the mediumship of F. C. Xavier (ed.
by Instituto de Difusao Espirita) and also books by Andre Luis and Camilo
C. Branco (spirits).

Even if our group had just started
to learn Esperanto, we encourage further studies in this language in a
new section by publishing texts in Esperanto on its learning and on Spiritism.

We therefore invite all friends to
participate by sending texts and works.

Let us all work together to this
aim!

GEAE Editors

LET'S
REMEMBER KARDEC

IS SPIRITISM
A RELIGION?

Is then Spiritism a religion? Yes,
of course it is Dear Sirs, it is a religion in the philosophical
sense which honor us very much since it constitutes the doctrine through
which the fraternity bounds and the communion of thoughts are based upon
solid supports: the very laws of Nature, and not upon simple conventions.

Why did we not declare Spiritism
as a religion? Because there is just one word to express two different
ideas. Also because, according to the general opinion, the word religion
is inseparable from the notion of cult. This, however, brings the idea
of form to which Spiritism bears no relation at all. Had it been declared
as a religion, people would have taken it as a new edition of absolute
principles of faith, together with their new cast of priests, hierarchical
processions, ceremonies and privileges. They would not distinguish it from
the ideas of mysticism and the mistakes of which it is very well free.

Since, according to the usual meaning
of the word, Spiritism have no relation to religion, it could not or should
not present itself under a title whose meaning gives rise to inevitable
misunderstandings. This is the reason for it to present itself just as
a moral and philosophical doctrine.

Announcing the Great Renewed, the
host of the angels at the manger presented no word of violence.

Glory to God in the Divine Universe.

Peace on Earth.

Good will toward men.

Bestowing a new era of safety and
tranquility, the Supreme Father declared the Heavenly Ambassador
endowed with no power to injure or destroy.

No punishment to the mean wealthy.

No penalty to the despaired poor.

No despise to the weak.

No banishment to the sinner.

No hostility to the arrogant pharisee.

No anathema to the unconscious gentile.

Through the hands of Jesus, the Divine
Treasure streamed in the service of the good will.

The justice of "an eye for a eye"
and "a tooth for a tooth" would finally meet Love ready to sublime abnegation
up to the cross.

Terrified before the new light at
the stable persons and animals expressed unutterable joy.

Since that unforgettable moment,
the Earth would be renewed.

The torturer would be worth of piety.

The enemy would turn into a misguided
brother.

The criminal would be considered
sick.

At Rome people would gradually suppress
slaughters at the circus. At Synod the slaves would no more have their
eyes spilt by the harshness of their lords. At Jerusalem the sick ones
would no more be forsaken to messy valleys.

Jesus was bringing the message of
true fraternity. By disclosing it, he successfully passed from the straw
crib to the bloody cross.

Brother or sister who listen to the
sweet echoes of the angelic songs, remember that the Master came for us
to love each other.

Christmas! Good news! Good will!

Let us bring sympathy to everybody
and start to live with Jesus under the splendor of a new day.